DEFTONES

Alternative Metal / Nu Metal • United States

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Deftones (stylized as deftones) is an American Alternative metal/rock band from Sacramento, California formed in 1988, consisting of Chino Moreno (lead vocals and guitar), Stephen Carpenter (guitar), Chi Cheng (bass), Frank Delgado (keyboards and turntables), and Abe Cunningham (drums and percussion). While they were mostly considered as a Nu Metal band in their early years, their sound progressively evolved into something more experimental, as a result they are often coined today as an Alternative Metal or Post-Metal band.

Critics have often praised them as one of the closest to unique rock bands of recent years ; as Johnny Loftus writes, "Rock critics usually reserve a special place for Deftones above or at least away from the rest of the turn-of-the-century metal movement [...] Deftones have always seemed more curious, more willing to incorporate traditionally revered sounds like dream pop into their Northern California alt-metal."

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DEFTONES Reviews

So here we have the genesis of one of the most loved bands to have survived the “nu-metal” wave. While I never really thought of Deftones as a “nu-metal” band, I do think without them, the scene wouldn't have been influenced as much and probably would have lost a lot of spark.

This album reminds me of System Of A Down's debut album. In many ways they have similar tones (with the latter being better produced slightly better) and are perfect examples of brilliant debuts. Not the bands best albums, but they are pretty damn good statements of a sound.

Musically the album is very much Deftones sound. Yes, it is very much in its infant stage but this is very much the blossoming of the bands sound. The best way to describe it is a mixture of early post hard core mixed with experimental rock and at the odd times rap influences. Lyrically Chino is very cryptic in this album, with the lyrics needing a lot of explaining.

One criticism I would have with this album would be the production. Now I'm not expecting outstanding production from a debut album in the early 90s, and I have to admit some of the production is pretty good at times, but it is a slight gripe. Vocally Chino is pretty great on this album, but I have to admit that at times he can go slightly off pitch. His odd use of whispering narratives at times can be a bit repetitive, but it usually tonally goes with the music of the track.

Opening track “Bored” is pretty much an anthem of teenage rebellion...the rebellion of boredom. With a pretty killer intro the song really shines when the chorus comes in and Chino sings his heart out.

“Minus Blindfold” shows influences from and edges towards rap metal. Lyrically Chino paints an interesting almost childish image and it really adds to the chaotic tone of the song.

“7 Words” is one of the most interesting tracks on the album. Starting off with a rather fun almost funky intro, the song explodes and implodes throughout with some interesting instrumental work throughout.

One of Chino's most impressive vocal moments on the album would have to be “Birthmark.” With a brilliant build up in the verse, the chorus is brought to newer heights with a very impressive high note sung by Chino, which sends shivers down my back everytime I hear it.

The albums final track “Fireal” is one of the most experimental tracks on the album. Mixing noise rock with some art rock moments, the chorus is a mad jabber of mad and distorted metal. Pretty epic at moments too.

Overall, this album is a pretty great debut. Deftones have always been a different yet energetic band, and this debut pretty much has them landing with their feet on the ground and running in the right direction. Packed full of tunes and having some pretty killer riffs, the band showed major potential on this album, and I think it may be a tiny little bit

After the major success of “White Pony”, these guys really needed to make something different. And they did. To...mixed audiences.

I do feel sorry for these guys. Trying to follow up “White Pony” really would have been a rather hard thing to do. But, these guys never like to repeat themselves, so they did something different.

One of the oddest things about the history of the album is that this album is that people have such a mixed opinion on this album, which I can kind of see why. This album really wouldn't be for everyone, due to it being such a varied mix. Personally...I liked it.

Musically the band experiment even more than on “White Pony” and start to really create a sound that would really pay off for the band in a few years. The guitar sound has now become even heavier and keyboards have now been brought in for more atmospheric moments. And Chino's vocals are just as epic as ever.

The opener “Hexagram” is a song that I've had mixed opinions had in the past. The second single released from the album, the song gained a good bit of play on MTV and Kerrang, so it was on now and then. Having loved the first single from the album, I was very interested to hear this one. This is a song that gives me mixed opinions at times. The verses I absolutely love, but the chorus I have a mixed feeling about. Although, it does sound way better on headphones. But the real highlight of this song has to be Chino's vocals. There are screams he does in this track that I don't even think are human.

The album's first single “Minerva” is probably the reason I've kept such an interest in the band these past few years. I remember when this song first came out, it got a massive amount of radio play and video play on MTV...and it deserved it. This song is incredibly beautiful yet so haunting at the same time. This is definitely a shining moment in the band's career.

A return to form, “When Girls Telephone Boys” is a personal favourite of mine. Up there with some of the band's heaviest material, Chino's vocals in this song are absolutely insane. This is one crazy mofo of a song.

The album's longest composition “Battle-Axe” is a classic example of Deftones. A lot of open space and some great melodic vocals from Chino.

One of the album's most odd moments comes in the track “Lucky You.”A collaboration with DJ Crook (who collaborates with Chino's side project Team Sleep). This song is pretty much a trip hop song, so expect something very different. Another odd moment on the album comes from the track “Anniversary Of An Uninteresting Event” which is one of the softest songs these guys have ever made. With some nice use of piano and toy piano, the song has a really beautiful arrangement.

In conclusion, this album ain't half bad. This isn't their best album, but in all fairness, Deftones have never made a bad album. This is also a rather different album for these guys, so it is worth a listen. I should warn you, there are some absolute classics on this album (not really a warning, pitiful humour really).

Whenever Deftones had risen to popularity after the highly successful “Around The Fur”, the band decided to hit the studio again. Now remember this was 2000. Nu Metal had just exploded. The metal world had been taken over by short spikey haired teens. Before this era, Deftones had basically created this sound, with other pioneers like Korn and Limp Bizkit also influencing the sound. So these guys had a decision. Go with the times or do something different. Deftones decided to do something different.

This album was a very dangerous move to make. Instead of going down a route which was a natural progression from “Around The Fur,” the band seemed to have taken a leap into the future and create something a lot more maturer and musically very different from their previous sound and something very different to what was popular. It's was lucky that when this album came out, a lot of people really took a shine to it, because if any other band had done it, it would be career suicide.

The album has a lot more progressive and experimental sounds that the band didn't have previously. Recruiting new member Frank Delgado on turntables and samples allowed the band to experiment with sounds that guitars and drums couldn't create. The band also took influence from genres like Trip Hop and directed themselves more towards rock than metal. Although, when the heavy moments kick in, they really kick in, and attack your face like a weasel on speed.

One of the albums most beautiful moments has to be on the song “Digital Bath.” Some really impressive vocals from Chino and one of Deftones best softer songs.

One of my personal favourite songs on the album has to be the track “Elite.” An incredibly furious and fast paced track with some absolutely insane vocals from Chino. I was surprised to hear that this song won a Grammy, because it is a rather extreme song.

The track “Teenager” is one of the more softer moments on the album. A very simple but rather beautiful composition. It's a brilliant little breather on the album.

One of the album's biggest highlights has to be “Knife Party.” Definitly one of the best chorus' on the album but also one of the oddest songs in general. With vocals in the bridge from Rodleen Getsic, it harkens to the vocals found in Pink Floyd's “The Great Gig In The Sky,” and even at times even more screechy than that.

“Passenger,” one of the longest compositions on the album contains some vocals from Tool's Maynard Keenan. Usually Maynard Keenan annoys me, but he's not too bad on this track...but Chino does outmatch him anyday.

“Change (In The House Of Flies),” which was the album's lead single is definitely one of the bands most interesting moments. A rather soulful song with some very vivid lyrics, it really is a rather soothing yet creepy track. Brilliant contrast in tones and overall a classic song.

The album closer “Pink Maggit”, is the band's longest composition to date, being 7 and a half minutes. Soon after the release of this album, “Pink Maggit” was found on an EP of the same name. The song itself contains musical parts from their future single “Back To School.” Brilliant ending to the album.

In conclusion, it's really hard to say anything bad about a Deftones album. So far, I can't find a bad one, and so far, out of all their album's I've heard so far, this would be my favourite. And in many ways, this is the band's masterpiece and biggest crowning achievement. If you haven't heard this album yet, I recommend listening to it, because it may change your opinion on this band.

I have to be honest, when this album came out, I wasn't even aware of it. My brother bought it and he told me they had a new one. I was slightly surprised, but I was also rather intrigued, due to my interest in the band starting to rise ever since the release of “Diamond Eyes”. So I decided to give this a listen, and I was surprised.

I do slightly prefer “Diamond Eyes” to this album, but trying to make a comparison between these two is very hard, because they are both very different beasts. This album is a lot more experimental in style and very different to anything these guys have done. Now there are some songs I'm not the biggest fan of, but there are songs that overcloud most stuff these guys have done in the past 15 years.

The guitar tone on this album has also been toned down a bit. In some ways, I'm slightly disappointed, but it does allow the band to have more of a gelled sound, rather than have the guitar sound drowning out the rest of the instruments. Chino's vocals remain the same, with a lot more focus on melody and harmony than the previous albums. Lyrically the songs have more of a story based focus to them and work very well the more experimental music.

The opener “Swerve City” is an obvious choice for a single. A brilliant start to the album and one of Deftones most catchiest songs in ages. Brilliant vocals from Chino as well. There's also a brilliant music video for this song.

“Romantic Dreams” to me has a very Rush feel to it, especially with the guitar riffs. The build up's with Chino's vocals are brilliant too.

One of the album's softer songs is found in the track “Entombed.” I believe that this song is about Chino, and it really works well with the beautiful musical arrangement.

The track “Tempest” was a rather odd choice as a single from this album. One of the more experimental and longer compositions on the album. Still interesting, but I wouldn't have picked it as a single.

My personal favourite on the album has to be “Rosemary.” An almost doom/drone metal laced song, it really is a brilliant clash and contrast of styles. The riff near the end is absolutely mammoth and the closing instrumental is incredibly beautiful.

In conclusion, I would prefer Diamond Eyes over this album, mainly because I enjoyed the songs more, but there are tracks on this album that are some of my favourite Deftones songs and some of the best stuff these guys have ever made. A rather experimental album, I would recommend this to anyone who likes a bit of experimentation in there music, because this is a rather risky move for the band, but it's pulled off spectacularly.

Deftones are a band from my childhood. In fact, they are band that kind of got me into heavier music. Whenever nu metal was all the rage, MTV would play Deftones videos like “Back To School” and “My Own Summer (Shove It)”. In all fairness, these guys really where a breath of fresh air, especially whenever most of the music out at that point was very similar and almost copycatish. I have always gotten into these guys, then slowly gotten off them. It depends on my mood really, but because of this album, I have started to take an even more firm interest in this band.

The history behind this album is a rather odd one. After the release of Saturday Night Wrist, the band decided to enter the studio again and record an album with the title “Eros.” Sadly before the album was released, bassist Chi Cheng was involved in a car crash which left him in a coma (before his death earlier this year). Because of Chi's accident, the band have decided to shelve the “Eros” album (which should be released in the next few years due to Chi's death) and opted to make a different and more positive album.

One of the most obvious changes in these guys sound now is the use of 8 string guitars, which realy does add to the heaviness of the album. I meant it, the guitar sound really does blow you away, and I don't just mean by impression. If you lived near a snowy mountain, I recommend not playing this album, in case of an avalanche. Chino's vocals are just as good as always, with his vocals being put through so many effects that you start to wonder that maybe he is a robot. Chino's lyrics are more playful, with the songs painting pictures rather than telling actual stories. The beautiful word play does work with the rather calming yet ecstatic tone of the album.

The opening title track is one of the bands best in years. With a riff that sounds like planets colliding and with beautiful vocals from Chino. One of the Deftones most heartfelt and poignant moments in the bands career. A definite must hear for anybody who hasn't heard any material from this band before.

“Royal” is a more of a harkening back to their early days. Chino's vocals come staggering in like a drunk man telling you the news. Brilliant track with a rather hypnotic feel behind it.

One of the most heaviest and craziest songs has to be “CMND/CTRL.” A mental song with some insane vocals from Chino. Definitly one of the heaviest and greatest moments on this album.

“You've Seen The Butcher” is a track which was an obvious choice for a single. One of the more catchier and more easily listenable tracks, but still as good. Another obvious but rather odd song that was released as a single was “Rocket Skates.” Rather odd lyrics and some absolutely mental screams from Chino, it definitely is a song that you won't forget.

The album's more softer moments like “Sextape” and “Beauty School” are brilliant compositions and show a very different side to the band. Chino's softer vocals do suit these songs very well and make lovely little interludes from the more heavy material on the album.

In conclusion, this is my first full length Deftones album that I have heard fully, and yea, this is one brilliant album. Can't think of a bad song on it. As a comeback, this is a total rebirth and really put these guys on the map again. I would recommend this album to anyone who...likes music in general. In many ways I would say this album is the perfect album for a Deftones beginner, because it sums up everything that is great about the band and each song has its own unique personality of the bands sound.